Two Home Games Await UC Lacrosse This Week

// THE OPENING DRAW
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team is back in action at home this week as the Bearcat will play host to a pair of games, starting Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. with a visit from #23 Virginia Tech at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats will then welcome Central Michigan to town Sunday with a noon start.

// QUICK SHOTS
• Cincinnati is 0-3 on the year and most recently fell at Ohio State, 15-10, last Wednesday
• Monica Borzillo scored seven points on four goals and three assists to lead the way
• Morgan Dukes collected a season-high six ground balls while adding three caused turnovers as well
• For their efforts, both Borzillo and Dukes were named to this week's AAC Honor Roll
• Kate Brocato stopped a career-high 10 shots in goal for the Bearcats

// GOING LIVE
Both games will be streamed live on BearcatsTV via GoBearcats.com while live stats also will be provided.

// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2020, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events. 

// SCOUTING: VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies enter the game with a 4-1 record and have won three in a row after a 9-8 overtime loss at #17 James Madison. Since then, VT has defeated Liberty (20-5), Radford (19-2) and Elon (14-7). Individually, Paige Petty leads the way with 21 goals and has added four assists for 25 points while Kayla Frank is tops on the team in points (30) and assist (17) while chipping in 13 goals as well. Through five games, 11 different players have scored at least one goal and 13 total have recorded at least one point.

// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. HOKIES
Virginia Tech won the first meeting the series last year with a 19-8 decision in Blacksburg.

// SCOUTING: CENTRAL MICHIGAN
The Chippewas are 1-1 on the year and won their most recent outing, 14-2, at home over visiting Butler. CMU opened the year on the road at #7 Notre Dame and fell, 24-4. Through two games, Natalie Karlen and Jessica Schuchardt lead the way with seven points each with Karlen, Shannon Doyle and Emma Hamilton each leading the way with a team-high four goals each. Schuchardt has posted a team-best five assists.

// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. CHIPPEWAS
The Bearcats lead the all-time series, 3-1, but lost last year, 12-11 in overtime, on the road at CMU. Cincinnati is 2-0 when hosting the Chippewas with wins over 14-5 in 2016 and 14-6 in 2018.

// BORZILLO'S BIG OUTING
In Columbus last week, Borzillo broke out her scoring stick as the senior netted a season-best seven points on four goals and three assists, more than doubling her point total (3) on the year. The four goals marked the 26th hat trick of her career, leaving her four shy of Laura Simanski's school record 30 (2009-12). 

// PUT UP YOUR DUKES
Morgan Dukes had a strong showing as well as her six ground balls against the Buckeyes are tied for the single-game high in the American so far this year. Additionally, Dukes added season-highs for caused turnovers (three) and draw controls (two).

// SPREAD IT AROUND
So far this year, 11 different Bearcats have registered at least one goal, including rookies Peyton Mottice and Kenna Hancock, who have scored three and one, respectively. Additionally, five players have recorded at least one assist with Mottice and Hancock ranking first (5) and third (3) on the team already.

PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// GRAB A HAT
In last week's loss at Marquette, Kylie Nause led the way offensively as she netted a trio of goals, giving her the first hat trick of her season and the 11th of her career. After posting 10 last year, Nause has moved into a tie for #6 on the program's all-time hat trick list, equalling the output of Lindsey Marshall (2008-09).

// MLKVY HONORED
Speaking of rookies, in her debut game (vs. Louisville), Dani Mlkvy recorded five caused turnovers, six ground balls and four draw controls as she marked one of the top scorers for the Louisville throughout. She led or tied for the team lead in all three categories with her five caused turnovers also ranking her tied for third on the program's single-game record ledger, one off the record of six recorded three times. For her efforts, the freshman was named to this week's AAC Honor Roll.

// MAKING DEBUTS
Mlkvy was one of eight freshmen that saw their first collegiate minutes against Louisville and one of four that earned a place in the starting lineup. The three other starters included Gianna Pope, Kenna Hancock and Peyton Mottice while the other rookies to see minutes included Tori Accardo, Sophia Finotti, Morgan Bates and Anna Green.

// THAT'S A FIRST
Late in the first half, the Bearcats cut the deficit to three goals (6-3) with Haley Brady scoring the goal. That goal, which Hancock assisted, was the first of Brady's career and came on her only shot of the day. Last year, as a freshman, Brady fired just three shots.

// DOUBLE
Late in the game, Amanda Fess scored back-to-back goals to bring UC to within six once again. Those two scores marked the first time in the senior's career that she has scored multiple goals in the same game.

// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Coach Gina Thomas (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.

// NEXT TIME
Next week, the Bearcats will play a pair of games, starting with Friday, March 6, at home against Stetson (5 p.m.) at Gettler Stadium. Following that game, the Bearcats will return to Kent, Ohio, where they will face Kent State at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8. The UC-KSU game is a make-up from the season-opener that was snowed out in Kent on February 7.